The Orb- December 2019-20

THE

4 6 12 14

Hamilton Southeastern High School Volume 31 | Issue 4

CHOIR HOLIDAY SHOW

RISING ACCEPTANCE

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

MARCHING BAND

DREAMS 8

ORB

WHETHER OR NOT THEY REMEMBER, EVERYONE

DREAMS WHILE THEY ARE ASLEEP. DESPITE THEIR

COMMONALITY, THERE ARE STILL NUMEROUS

UNKNOWNS ABOUT HOW DREAMS WORK. IN THIS ISSUE OF THE ORB, STUDENTS AND FACULTY DISCUSS DREAMS THEY’VE HAD AND EXPLAIN WHY THEY FIND

MEDIA STAFFS VISIT WASHINGTON, D.C. PUBLICATIONS STUDENTS ATTEND NATIONAL JOURNALISM CONVENTION Nine student publications and media staff members, along with advisers Jordan Klobusnik and David Young, and Librarian Karin Foster, attended the National Scholastic Press Association Convention in Washington, D.C., November 2023. The convention, attended by over four thousand student journalists from around the country and some overseas, is an annual highlight for students to gather new ideas to enhance our student publications. Students who attended represented all five Student Media staffs, incluing The Orb, Sceptre, HSETV, Southeastern Sports Network and hsenews.com online.

STAFF MEMBERS PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR

MORALE COORDINATOR

EDITORS

STAFF MEMBERS

Hayden Sisemore

Grace Barclay Lucas Bisesi Kennedy Fisher Peyton McVeigh Sophia Tomlin

PHOTOGRAPHY COORDINATORS Megan Tooman Sarah Woodward

2

Elizabeth Moodispaugh Kathryn Collins Emily Crousore Vivianna Esqueda Kyra Jones Lainee Kirk Lauren Riina Jamie Whitesell

BUSINESS MANAGER Evan McDonald

ADVISERS THE ORB

Jordan Klobusnik David Young

STAFF SHOUT-OUT GRACE BARCLAY STUDENT LIFE EDITOR

Grace steps up, helps out her fellow staff members, and provides insight to better our publications. She is always looking for new design ideas to ensure our content and audience appeal is of high quality.

Mission Statement: The Orb staff is dedicated to bringing interesting, relevant and important news to students and faculty at the school. The staff also focuses on upholding media ethics.

A MOMENT WITH...

RHONDA ST HILAIRE

ENL TEACHER SPEAKS ABOUT JOURNEY, HOW IT AFFECTS HER TODAY What made you want to go into education?

Ever since I was a little girl my family, mainly my father’s family, was a family of teachers. So, when I got out of high school I went straight into working as a Spanish teacher. It honestly found me, I wouldn’t say I found it. But after about 14 years I got kind of tired of it because I did more of the discipline side, which really takes a lot out of you. I then went into the corporate world and became a manager. Education, however, has always been the bedrock of my existence. That kind of focus and the other things behind it has gotten into how I am organized and good at managing things and people. All those things have led into the tapestry of my life.

How have your students impacted you?

I have become a little more patient. In my previous job, I used to teach Spanish in Trinidad for 14 years, and I was the dean of discipline. I was not as tolerant of bad behavior as I am now. Here, I tend to have to speak a lot more. They have made me a little more tolerant and motherly.

What inspired you to come to the United States?

There is an online application for the diversity lottery for green cards that happens every year, and many people don’t know about it. You don’t have to pay anything. You just submit your name and your family’s name in the application. I think 55,000 families are chosen every year. In 2012, when my husband got fired and I wasn’t working, I decided to submit an application, and that was the year that we were successful. We got a letter six months later saying that we were selected and we took it from there. We said let’s sell everything and come to America. We took that leap of faith, and now we are here.

How do your responsibilities at HSE compare to your responsibilities at your school in Trinidad?

Here, I take more of a backseat. Honestly I prefer this because I did not like being in front of the classroom as I used to be. When I became a dean at my school in Trinidad, that gave me more of an administrative overview of education, which I prefer. What I am doing now is more of a blend of that. It’s a sweet spot for me because I don’t have to be up there teaching and planning lessons, but I can still be the disciplinarian. Really the main difference is I get to do more of what I love to do in education.

What are some differences between HSE and your school in Trinidad?

First of all the size. The school I taught at and even the school I attended in my high school years were both probably about an eighth of the size of this school. Most schools in Trinidad you have to wear uniforms in school, while here, students get to wear anything and everything. Students also are allowed to say more here. Everyone has a lot more rights as students.

Q&A and photo by Emily Crousore.

HSENEWS

3

MERRY MUSIC

PREPARING FOR HOLIDAY CHOIR SHOW The holidays are a time for festive decorations, colorfully wrapped gifts and celebrating the season of giving with others.

For members of the school choir, the holiday season is time for their biggest show of the year.

The five different choirs will all perform together for three shows, entitled “Jingle All the Way,” one on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. and two on Dec. 7 at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Preparation for the show began as early as August when members of the choirs started using a fundraising website called “Snap!Raise,” they were able to send a link for their fundraiser to anybody in attempts to raise money. This assisted with paying for costs of backdrops, set decorations and various other costs. In September, the choirs began singing holiday songs. This process continues through the following months up until the concert and involves memorizing numerous songs and choreographies.

“We start preparing in September,” senior Isabelle Duffy said.

“Not only do we have to memorize words for around nine songs, but there is also choreography to go with them. We only have so long to perfect it.”

Practice is vital to the quality of the show, so a lot of time goes into rehearsing songs and dances to make sure they’re precise.

There will be occasional tests over the songs in order to verify that each member of the choirs knows them.

The choirs are fitted for their outfits in October. November, and the week of December leading up to the show, is consumed with rehearsal of all songs. By now, most choir members have memorized them and are working on perfecting everything.

Usually practice will take place in the classroom, but when it nears closer to the show, the choirs will begin practicing in the auditorium. On Dec. 4, all the choirs will come together to rehearse during the first, second and third periods.

“We practice every day, running through all the dance numbers and vocals,” senior Amayah Armstrong said. “There is one day where we are able to practice as a whole by missing our first few classes.”

With the multiple months spent preparing for the concert, there is a large build-up of high expectations. The anticipation to perform a good show can lead to mixed emotions of stress, worry and most of all: excitement.

“I am honestly very excited for the show,” Duffy said. “Even though it can be nerve-racking, I think the holiday show is one of the most fun to perform. Everyone in choir is really close and this concert just brings everyone even closer together.”

The holiday show’s cheerful appeal brings a large and eager audience each year.

“It is a big deal every year and a lot of thought is put into the songs and dances,” sophomore Jack Gerstner said. “I think many families look forward to school events like the choir show, which is pretty cool.”

For singers in the choir, their families and audience members who attend, the show can be a great way to spread holiday joy.

Story by Lainee Kirk. Photo by Sarah Woodward.

4

THE ORB

SCHOOL OR SNOOZE

Students discuss possible change in school start times

You know the routine. Wake up to a blaring alarm, roll over and press ‘snooze’ for those few more precious minutes of sleep.

For HSE students, the school day begins at 7:35 a.m., while students, from neighboring schools, are still fast asleep.

At schools such as Cathedral, Noblesville, and Westfield, the first bell does not ring until half an hour, an hour, or even later.

Recent discussions of the district’s start time has encouraged students to weigh the options of a later start and even a different bell schedule.

Junior Alec Thierion de Monclin moved to Indiana a few years ago and immediately saw differences between school routines.

“When I used to live in France, we started later and ended school later, that had no way restricted our lives outside of school and we had plenty of time to do our homework properly,” Thierion de Monclin said.

For those with precautions considering extracurricular activities losing time as a result of a later start, Thierion de Monclin explains how before school activities could benefit.

“For math team events that are set before school, I have to wake up an hour earlier, which affects my effeciency throughout the day,” Thierion de Monclin said. “[A later start] would allow me to come in early before school, and stay longer for my engineering projects.”

Other students believe that the later start would simply push back the daily routine an hour and would not be that beneficial.

Sophomore Emily Gebhardt sees the start change as possibly causing her to complete homework and ultimatley go to sleep later.

“I don’t think a later start would make much of a difference.

For one thing, most of us stay up late and will be tired even if we start at a later time. Plus, you would get home later and most kids have practices or jobs after school so even after their activities for the day are over,” Gebhardt said. “[Students] still have homework to do after getting home, pushing back their schedule.”

While comparing HSE’s day to that of nearby schools, students also found actual class times to be drastically different. Other schools, such as Westfield, have implemented a block schedule with longer classes over two days. Although, some students may see the break from certain subjects as beneficial, concerns arise when it comes to planning for teachers. Whether the district moves the first bell back, or changes the schedule as a whole, benefits and consequences are evident. Story by Peyton McVeigh.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO GIVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON START TIMES, SCAN THE QR CODE.

OF THE ISSUE

Senior Monica StuffIe discusses passion for art

After having previously taken Drawing 1-4, Painting 1-2 and Introduction to Photography, senior Monica Stuffle made the decision to participate in the AP Drawing program.

“Monica Stuffle is an artist who is able to work in two very distinct approaches: highly realistic and extremely stylized. She is equally proficient in both.

In terms of her attitude, Monica is all in. When she is in the art room, she is extremely focused and excited about executing her work in conceptually interesting ways at the highest possible level.” Angela Fritz, art teacher “My favorite part of my creative process is, quite honestly, the lack of planning I put into it. I prefer my art to be everevolving, and never knowing what the end product will look like.” Monica Stuffle, 12 HSENEWS

5

RISING ACCEPTANCE COUPLE SURPRISED BY SUPPORT When juniors Ariana Bingham and Mari Hamilton were first introduced by a common friend, they instantly knew they were interested in each other.

Bingham and Hamilton have been a couple since the summer of 2019, which they soon made public with a social media post of them together at Indy Pride Festival. Attending Pride with their friends had a big impact on the couple.

“It was just a bunch of people who can relate to each other,” Hamilton said. “Everyone was so happy and everyone could be themselves there.”

Bingham and Hamilton were both worried about coming out to those they loved, especially because of possible negative reactions. However, the couple was pleasantly surprised by responses given.

“I was really nervous about what my family and friends would think and if any of them would not accept me,” Hamilton said. “My family and friends are very supportive, [but] I have relatives that do not necessarily agree.”

Though the couple was worried, they have seen many positive experiences from friends and family. The couple claim that coming out has helped with their confidence, and their peers are happy to see it. “[People have treated us differently] in a good way,” Bingham said. “People are always saying how much they love us.”

Despite the positivity the couple has seen, they have still seen some discrimination. The couple does not let this affect them because, in the their opinion, it does not matter.

“It took me a while but I came to realize that I only need people in my life who support me,” Hamilton said. “If someone does not like me for who I am, then that’s their problem.”

The couple continues to ignore any negativity they face and can often be seen together with smiles on their faces.

“We both have just accepted that if people are going to hate on us because of who we are, then that’s on them,” Bingham said. “We aren’t going to go out of our way to change ourselves to please people just because they do not agree with who we are.”

Although the couple has experienced discontent from others, they have always been comfortable with who they are together.

“I love how comfortable Ari makes me feel around her,” Hamilton said. “I got comfortable with her super quick. She is my best friend who I can hang out with every day without getting bored of her.”

As they have now been together for more than five months, they have taken steps to bind their relationship closer together and have even adopted a pet.

“We are very spontaneous and like to do everything together,” Hamilton said. “We’re even raising a gecko together.”

Bingham and Hamilton continue to ignore animosity and foster pride in their relationship, with their friends and family by their side. Story by Elizabeth Moodispaugh. Photos contributed.

6

THE ORB

BLACK FRIDAY VS CYBER MONDAY STUDENTS DISCUSS HOLIDAY SHOPPING HABITS, TRADITIONS For most people Black Friday marks the start of the holiday season. Stores start marking down prices and business hours are extended. However, the concept is not all that new. ‘Black Friday’ dates back to the 19th century; on Sept. 24, 1869, the stock market crashed because of lowering the gold prices, which became known as ‘Black Friday’. The day after Thanksgiving did not become the day of shopping we have now come to know until around 1950. Many people started taking the day off after Thanksgiving to give themselves a long weekend, but stores were open and the people taking off work had extra time to shop. Today, Black Friday is observed as a state holiday in 25 states.

More recently, businesses have been extending their hours and open on Thanksgiving. Businesses say that it is easier on customers when they extend the time because the lines are not as long and the competition dies down. For some shoppers this holds true, but others say that the spirit of Black Friday should be kept to Friday.

“They should wait to open on Friday,” junior Halle Duros said.

“Thursday just doesn’t have the same spirit.”

Whether shopping starts early or starts on Friday some families have developed traditions over the years. Some families go in groups, some divide and conquer, others wear fun outfits and call Black Friday their “sport.”

“Every year around 3 a.m. my grandma, mom and I get Dunkin’ Donuts,” Duros said. “After that we start shopping.”

There are also certain stores that people have to hit to make sure they get the best deals on the perfect gifts for the perfect person.

“I always have to go to Target,” junior Danielle Weitzel said.

“They have everything you could want to buy.”

There is also another shopping day on the rise, ‘Cyber Monday’.

Cyber Monday was not always as popular. It was originally

around the twelfth highest cyber shopping day, but has become more well-known in 2005 when the idea was first brought up by a division of the National Retail Federation as a marketing ploy. Consumers do not have to leave their houses to go out in the crowds of Black Friday and everything ships directly to them. Cyber Monday is not just observed in the United States.

Other countries such as the United Kingdom and France also participate in Cyber Monday. This new way of getting the deals with out going out has not killed Black Friday yet, as only 22 percent of Americans have resorted to online shopping during the holidays.

Some people do take part in both shopping days, purchasing whatever they can’t find in stores online.

“My family usually does Black Friday and Cyber Monday,” junior Carter Nelson said. “We shop a lot through Amazon.”

Cyber Monday is a way to stay in and keep out of the horror stories. In 2008, there was a deadly incident at a Walmart on Black Friday when a male worker was trampled to death and 11 others were hurt as more than 2,000 people rushed into the store in Long Island. However, these crowds have started to decrease as stores open a little earlier. Regardless of the method, remember to stay safe and enjoy the holiday season.

Story by Kennedy Fisher Information from TheBalance.com and HowItWorks

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Fun Facts:

* 116 Million people are expected to shop on Black Friday * Last year there was an estimated 6.22 billion dollars spent on online sales * In 2018, Amazon sold more than 175 million items *Amazon reported that at their peak selling point they sold up to 320 items per second

HOW DO YOU GIVE BACK YOUR COMMUNITY?

“Oftentimes, I volunteer at school events such as Homecoming and the food drive. Volunteering makes me feel like I’m making an impact in the community, and I am able to meet people I would’ve never met and listen to their stories.”

Erica Doan, 12

“As a club, [Riley Dance Marathon] fundraise all year long leading up to the Riley Dance Marathon. There is no greater feeling than donating money to kids who are in need.”

Claire Shumaker, 11

“I normally volunteer around Thanksgiving time and help out at food drives. It makes me feel accomplished because it helps people who really need it. ” Jackson Bisesi, 11

“[Riley Dance Marathon] raise money to help patients have a happy life. The feeling you get when helping these kids is really rewarding and valuable.”

Kayden Teffeteller, 12

HSENEWS

7

8

THE ORB

..

ZZZZ.

D

REAMS

D

reams are a common occurrence, but the understanding behind them have always been a mystery. Most people’s minds create multiple fantastical worlds in the span of a couple hours, but by the next day a dream is often forgotten and a person usually does not have any desire to look further into this memory that was supposedly lost. Those people who choose to investigate dreams, whether it means writing them down in the morning, or speaking to an expert, look to discover something their subconscious is trying to say. Many aspects of dreams, from their psychological impact or their imaginative qualities, can be brought back to cognitive science. Senior Parker Hammel speaks about his curiosity for dreams and how everyday lives affect them, as well as creating multiple art projects highlighting the few dreams he was able to remember.

“I don’t usually remember my dreams, but when it does happen, I usually come up with something pretty unique and interesting,” Hammel said. “Sometimes my brain comes up with things I’ve never seen before and it is sometimes just so odd that I want to put them in something so that I can remember them for the future.”

The stage that dreams most significantly occur is during the rapid eye movement phase (REM).

REM was first documented in 1953 by Nathaniel Kletiman with a EOG taped to the eyelids, which documented the movement of patients’ eyelids and at the time which they reported having dreams. These initial discoveries led to the onset of more focus into research on sleep and dreams. People often strive to understand dreams, such as details including their purpose or what the contents within them mean.

In ancient Egyptian mythology, dreams were interpreted as being messages from the gods, according to Psychology Today.

The Roman poet Lucretius documented in first-century B.C. of his dog dreaming, realizing the type of imagery that his dog could have been experiencing, such as running or chasing other creatures. Modern research has looked at the psychological components that contribute to the unique content of dreams, and the way they are remembered.

“I had this really vivid dream a while back, and I had woken up and was able to remember exactly what the dream was about, Hammel said. “It was a weird snake thing, with feathers on the top and it was a really weird dream, but it was just so vivid I was able to remember it somehow.”

There is much lack of proven information on the process and

AND WHAT THEY MEAN

purpose of sleep. There are different theories on why dreams occur within sleep. One theory is that dreams do not serve any real purpose, while others believe that dreams are essential for properly processing and storing memory by the brain.

“As far as like warnings about the future I don’t know if I believe that that’s possible, but I do believe that your subconscious,when you’re dreaming, its going through events that happened throughout the day,” Hammel said. “Going through what could have happened, what could have better what could have gone worse that’s why people often have dreams about where they revisit an event that happened earlier.”

Studies on sleep initially began in 1899 with Sigmund Freud’s novel, The Interpretation of Dreams. Freud considered that the content of dreams represented desires and thoughts driven within the subconscious. He also considered that there was a difference from the literal content and a psychological meaning behind the dream.

“The is a lot of science behind dreams where can even be effected so much just by what you eat before you go to sleep,” Hammel said. “I don’t know if I necessarily believe that dreams can bring things like omens, but I do think that dreams could potentially tell you something like traits about yourself. If you’re in a dream you’re probably going to act the same way you would in a real-life scenario.”

Though sleep requires the use of most systems in the body, dreams alone involve many different parts of the brain. The basal forebrain and midbrain creates the need for sleep, as it releases adenosine and creates a drowsy and tired feeling.

As most dreams occur during REM sleep, dreams begin in the hypothalamus, a structure that contains nerve cells that control sleep and arousal, as well as the supra chiasmatic nucleus (SCN) that helps use light exposure to connect a sleep cycle to when it is either day or night. SCN sends signals to the pineal gland, the area of the brain that produces melatonin and causes one to fall asleep once one’s surroundings are dark. The reason people do not act out their dreams is due to the communication between the hypothalamus and the brain stem. Together they produce a chemical known as GABA, which diminishes the activity in each other’s systems and results in muscle relaxation.

In further research, scientist Claud Bernard concluded that during sleep, long-term memory is developed through the cerebrum and hippocampus. REM is also a critical component

Story continues on page 10...

“[Your subconscious is] going through what could have happened, what could have gone better, what could have gone worse.”

HSENEWS

9

SCIENCE OF DREAMS PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS WITHIN

for brain health. Poor sleep quality is increasingly associated with various brain disorders including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. As studies have found that REM malfunctions for those with these disorders, poor sleep contributes to memory impairments with these onsets.

“I guess I don’t think about dreams much because usually I don’t remember them,” art teacher Angela Fritz said. “When I do remember a dream, I can usually relate something in the dream to something that has happened to me recently. I do think what happens in life is sort of “worked out” in our dreams. I guess I would say I remember more dreams when I’m stressed or afraid of something.”

Some people are “heavy” or “light” sleepers, but due to the thalamus, deep sleepers can tune out their surroundings. A thalamus helps the cerebral cortex connect senses to your and short-term memory, but when one sleeps, the thalamus

becomes less sensitive and focuses less on the outside world and more on adding sounds, visuals, and creative aspects to a dream.

The thalamus’s purpose in dreams can go hand-in-hand with the amygdala, which is responsible for processing emotions, creating a positive or negative emotional response after experiencing a dream. The different possible responses by these parts of the brain create unique aspects to the way one dreams.

“Ironically for an art teacher, almost all of my dreams are in black and white,” Fritz said. “Even though I don’t really remember what happens in my dreams I have always taken note of how they are almost never in color.”

There are generally five different types of dreams someone can experience: ordinary, daydreams, lucid, nightmares, and recurring.

“I think what happens in life is sort of ‘worked out’ in our dreams.”

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST DREAM YOU HAVE EVER HAD?

“My family was sleeping in a motel and a dinosaur ripped off the roof. In order to get away from the dinosaur, we had to ride motorcycles. I was nervous because I had a test the day before.”

Chase Jay, 12

10

THE ORB

“There was a tsunami in my neighborhood that was as tall as the sky and covered my entire neighborhood with water. When I went inside [my house] it was one thousand degrees inside. I think this means that something bad is going to happen [in the future].”

Avion Rush, 9

“All the characters in The Office were chasing after me and trying to kill me, and Stanley was the one that got me. [I think this means] I should be careful while watching the Office.”

Margaret Olejnik, 9

“I was chased by death in my old neighborhood. I could run on walls and he would still chase me up the walls. I think this means that I was dying.”

Yusef Obeda, 9

CHARACTERISTICS WHAT MAKES DREAMS UNIQUE?

According to The World of Lucid Dreaming, the average person daydreams 70-120 minutes every day. Daydreams originate from an engrossing thought or memory, that develops into a fanatical mindset. The world around oneself and the areas of the media they find interest in have shown to affect their dreams.

“A lot of my dreams have to deal with stuff from what I read and TV shows that I watch,” Hammel said. “Even when I was little, this would include cartoons that I would watch, with characters taken out of their context.”

Those who are prone to daydreaming sometimes find it easier to lucid dream, when a subject is aware that they are in and can control the dream, as they have not let the thalamus take entire control. People often use lucid dreaming to play into or fulfill a desire.

As children, nightmares seem more traumatizing, but as people age nightmares can still be present. According to Harvard Medical School, nightmares are from elongated intervals of REM sleep, where past experiences are woven together and create a dreadful and intense response.

“I wouldn’t exactly call it a recurring dream, but I do have recurring places where somewhat nightmares occur,” Fritz said. “As a child, I was afraid of my grandmother’s porch, so some dreams will happen there, but most of my bad dreams happen in dark, stormy landscapes where water is a prominent component.”

Recurring dreams are the most common dreams one will remember, as they are experienced many times, where either a storyline is revisited, or the same exact dream is reenacted.

When it comes to recurring dreams, these are ones that lead back to guilt or a hidden meaning that a person does not want to face or is not aware of yet.

“I do have [recurring dreams] where I will just get the same dream over and over again,” Hammel said. It gets really frustrating sometimes, mostly because it’s almost like watching the same TV show episode over and over again.”

There are infinite possibilities when it comes to one’s dreams.

From dreaming in black and white, experiencing a lucid dream, or not being able to dream at all, they are the unique creative decisions of people’s minds.

Story by Lauren Riina and Megan Tooman. Photos by Sarah Woodward.

TYPES OF DREAMS Ordinary A daydream is a visionary fantasy experienced while the dreamer is awake.

As a result the brain is ignoring important, but not relevant issues that do not pose interesting or engaging problems.

Lucid A nightmare is a terrifying or deeply upsetting dream of particular intensity causing strong feelings of fear, horror, and distress. Nightmares reflect fighting elements from our imagination.

Recurring Dream

Ordinary dreams are told as a symbolic story with an individual meaning, which is specific to the dreamer. Often mirror real life experiences and can link to actual experiences and sensations.

Daydream

A lucid dream is a conscious dream, where the dreamer becomes aware that they are dreaming. As a lucid dream is occurring the waking mind gains control over the dream.

Nightmares

A recurring dream is experienced repeatedly over a long period of time, usually a direct result of unsolved stress.

HSENEWS

11

THE THREAT OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NON-PROFIT DISCUSSES DANGERS

It is estimated that there are

20-40 million people

living in modern slavery today.

About 71 percent of enslaved people are women and girls.

?

71% 71%

Only about .04 percent of human trafficking survivors are identified.

The average age a teen enters the sex trade is

12-14 years old.

12-14

Statistics from polarisproject.org.

SAFETY TIPS Let a trusted relative know if you are in danger and set a trusted relative’s phone number as an emergency contact.

12

THE ORB

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution grants every American citizen the right of freedom, however this right has been taken from unsuspicious women and children for the inhumane gain of others through human trafficking. People around the world are subjected to sexual violence and these crimes are finally gaining global attention due to the incident in the United Kingdom.

On Oct. 23, British police pulled over a truck container in southern England, containing 39 dead adults inside. The victims were later identified as 31 male and nine female Vietnamese nationals, according to Essex Police, and all were illegally exported into the United Kingdom as a part of an alleged human trafficking ring. In the aftermath of this tragedy, authorities and civilians alike began looking further into the dangers lurking in the shadows of everyday life, into the dangers once ignored. Despite the reports of human trafficking found throughout the world, many find themselves unaware of how trafficking works.

The process of trafficking is set over an extended period of time, with potential

victims being lured in, often starting on social media, by predators who establish a relationship and groom the victim. An emotional and trusting connection between a minor and a predator is built with the intent of manipulating and abusing them in the future. Victims of human trafficking are not randomly selected off the streets, rather they are maliciously maneuvered by a predator.

In the era of the internet, sharing one’s life online appears to be normal; on different social media platforms, everyone can find a place where they can seemingly share the best aspects of their lives with an audience. However, many never think of the consequences. Public accounts provide predators with easy access to personal life without even realizing.

“On the internet, that’s the scariest place in the world right now,” Cherish Executive Director Wendy Gamble said.

“You can choose to walk away from someone who approaches you at school, or at the mall and you can also do that on your phone, but more people have

Double-check privacy settings and remove automatic GPS tags on social media.

access to you that you don’t even realize, they have access to you and your information.”

Cherish is a non-profit child advocacy center located in Hamilton County dedicated to helping victims of child and sexual abuse.

Human trafficking is much larger than random predators grooming and smuggling victims across borders, though it can be found in small, safe towns.

Moreover, trafficking and sexual abuse can be found within households of any economic class.

“I think the biggest misnomer about trafficking is that there are lots of ways people get trafficked, and used for a benefit of their own.” Gamble said, “Often times it is familial. Some people sell their family members for drugs, People will sell another family member in order for their rent to be paid. In Hamilton County it can seem hard to think that we have stuff like that that goes on but it does.”

Trafficking is an immense international issue plaguing society, with the Polaris Project estimating around 20.9 million victims of human trafficking globally.

However present human trafficking is, there is no exact number available because not all victims can escape and call for help, not all victims can make it out alive and some victims don’t even realize they’re being trafficked at all. Not everyone can escape trafficking and to see justice be served, so humanity must ban together to avenge the ones lost and protect others from following under the same fate.

Trafficking is more than the UK truck, it’s happening all around the world, in the most dangerous city to the safest. Protect yourself and others.

“Your gut is there for a reason, if your gut feels like something is not right, if a person is not right, even if they’re smiling at you and they seem very nice and very kind, you do not have to be around this person or involved with that person,” Gamble said. “Trust your gut about anything and tell somebody if anything odd [happens], don’t underestimate anything that doesn’t feel good.” Story by Kathryn Collins. Photo by Grace Barclay.

“In Hamilton County it can seem hard to think that we have stuff like [human trafficking] that goes on, but it does.”

Tips from humantraffickinghotline.org

IMPORTA

NT

x

Keep all important documents in a safe place or in your possession.

Delete browser history and block or filter emails from strangers.

HSENEWS

13

DEFINTION OF SPORT

Marching band members discuss consideration as sport As stated by Oxford Dictionary, a sport is an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against others for entertainment. However, some find that this definition is quite broad, as it supports an array of activities that are not traditionally viewed by the general public as a true sport.

One such activity that has regularly been discussed is marching band. Over the years many students, either members or nonmembers, argue that it fits the mold of a true sport because it consists of the defining characteristics. Many believe that since marching band involves effort and competition against other teams, it meets the requirements.

“I used to always debate marching band being a sport, but ever since I marched Drum Corps, my perception on the issue shifted,” senior Daniel Mackenzie said. “The key difference is that marching band is about performance.”

In contrast, some members believe that marching band does not classify as a sport because performances do not impact the production of other teams.

“I believe [marching band] is not a sport, but a physical activity,” senior Chloe Graham said. “Our actions do not directly affect the outcome of another band’s performance.

14

THE ORB

Labeling it as a sport could also open the door to classifying other school activities, including performances and academic competitions, as such since they may also meet the same criteria. However, some believe a competition between teams may not be a defining characteristic.

“While [marching band] is not as individually competitive, and doesn’t thrive off of beating another team, band is more based around performing your individual task for an overall performance goal,” Mackenzie said.

This fine line between what is considered a true sport and competitive activity creates a gap between members of traditional sports and those who believe their activity is just as eligible. Overall, only those who take part in each competitive activy know the true work that goes into their personal ventures.

Story by Kathryn Collins and Sophia Tomlin.

VOLLEYBALL MENTALITY Girls volleyball team reflects on journey to State The varsity girls volleyball team competed in the IHSAA 4A State Finals, the first volleyball team in school history to reach that far in the postseason. Although the Lady Royals lost to New Castle with a final score of 1-3, preparation for next season is already underway. As of now, the team is reminiscing on their past season and working on how to make next season their best one yet.

Many of the players have been on the team since their freshman year, which helped them improve their skills as leaders and as team players. “[From freshman year I have progressed] by becoming a leader,” senior Grace Hunter said. “Also by being able to help the team out as much as I can and having the team work better together.”

This season was one of the most successful ones for the varsity girls volleyball team as it beat Fishers in two of the most important games of the season, Mudsock and Sectionals.

“The week leading up to Mudsock is the best part,” Hunter said. “Everyone gets together and has a great time.”

Now that the senior leaders are moving on, next year’s leaders are getting ready to learn from their mistakes, perfect their technique and become an even closer family.

“We learned more about the technical things of volleyball like changing speed and how to press on blocks,” junior Olivia

Phillips said. “But also how to make [losing] fuel us instead of making us upset, just focusing on how to improve for next time.”

One of the main goals as a team was to have a better group dynamic so they could all be better individually and work as one at the same time. Being able to connect on and off the court was something they needed to work on from the previous season and had accomplished this year.

“The very first day of practice the seniors set the tone and said we were all going to love each other and come together as a team,” Phillips said. “It really helped throughout the season because we learned how to bring each other up.”

As new leadership roles are in the hands of the junior players, they prepare for what they will take with them from this year’s senior captains.

“I want to be someone who brings positivity to the whole team, someone who brings everyone up,” Phillips said. “I want to be a leader by not only what I say but what I do with my actions whether it be on or off the court or in my schoolwork.

Just having the attitude to win but also putting my teammates before myself.”

Although the season is over, the Lady Royals are not going to stop fighting and are going to avenge their place at State next year. Story by Vivianna Esqueda.

ATHLETE OF THE ISSUE

LILLIAN LEINER TRAIT: ENTHUSIASM Senior Lillian Leiner is a defensive specialist on the girls varsity volleyball team. She received the IHSAA 4A Volleyball State Finals Mental Attitude Award and is committed to Northern Kentucky University.

“Lillian has a quiet confidence on and off the court that her teammates feed off of. She is a leader and a great teammate. She plays with passion and enthusiasm that is very contagious.

Every successful team needs a teammate like Lillian Leiner.”

Jim Self, Athletic Director “My competitive nature drives me to want the team to win every point possible. Since volleyball is a team sport, I place trust in teammates on the court. I keep a positive attitude whether we win the point or not as a new ball means a new point. I take the opportunity in practice to improve our skills so during games we have the confidence to succeed.”

Lillian Leiner, 12 HSENEWS

15

THE

ORB

HOLIDAY CHOIR SHOW.................................................4 START TIME CHANGES....................................................................5 RISING ACCEPTANCE: ARIANA BINGHAM, MARI HAMILTON.........6 BLACK FRIDAY VS CYBER MONDAY...................................................................7 DREAMS, HOW THEY WORK.......................................................................................8 SCIENCE BEHIND DREAMS.............................................................................................9 STRANGEST DREAMS..................................................................................................10 COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT DREAMS...........................................11 HUMAN TRAFFICKING..................................................................................12 TRAFFICKING SAFETY TIPS...........................................................13 DEFINITION OF A SPORT.............................................14 VOLLEYBALL TEAM REFLECTS........15